Rental property smells like smoke (tenant)

princesse_sarah_x

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me or know our rights in this case.
My husband & I moved into our rental property 2 months ago, having viewed it once before - when we viewed it there was no trace of the smoke smell.
On the day we moved in I noticed a old cigarette smell, on this day the previous tenants had had the property professionally cleaned so I thought maybe the cleaners had smoked on the balcony. However the next day the smell was still there, particularly when you walk in the main door, hallway and living room area near the balcony. We also noted a pile of cigarette ash/cigarette butts on the balcony.
We visit family every weekend and when I unpack our suitcase when we get there, I can smell a faint smoky smell on our clothes even though they've just been freshly laundered.

A couple of days after moving in we contacted the letting agents and after quite a few emails back and forth and 2 of their employees visiting who admitted they could smell the smoke smell, the carpets were professionally cleaned. However the smell is still present and hasn't subsided at all. A third employee came to assess the smell last week and claims to not be able to smell anything. They have now asked 'what we would like them to do about it'.

Basically my question is do we have any rights on this as tenants? When we moved in we had to sign a strict no smoking policy. We're concerned about buying sofas & soft furnishings incase the smell is absorbed. I've also read about the potential health implications of 'thirdhand smoke'. Our contract is 7 months, so we have about 5 months left, however we do like the flat and would rather stay here if possible.

Thank you for any advice

bouicca21

Do you have curtains or other soft furnishings? If so they need cleaning.

Smokers become immune to the smell.

corell

You will need to wash every surface, not just carpets. The walls, ceilings etc as the nicotine sticks. Try a bottle of elbow grease. Hopefully this should help. The third worker may have been a smoker so he wouldn't have smelled it (if he indeed is a smoker).

davidmcn

I very much doubt there are any health implications from merely being able to smell smoke - passive smoking risks are from breathing in clouds of the stuff while the smokers are there.

I can't see what rights you'd have against your landlord. Just because you're not allowed to smoke doesn't mean that previous residents weren't. The smell will disappear eventually, if you want it to go faster then get scrubbing!

princesse_sarah_x

Thanks for the replies! There were no curtains when we moved in, we bought our own new. I was surprised when they stated it had been professionally cleaned as it did not feel or smell like it. It makes sense to me that the smell is in the walls and ceilings, but is it our responsibility to do that/pay for that?

atolaas

Ask to see proof that the flat had been professionally cleaned if you doubt that the agent has done so. They should have an invoice from the company that they used.

Mossfarr

I bought an ex rental property that was very heavily nicotine stained, the smell was terrible. It was so bad that when I sprayed the windows & frames with a spray cleaner there were brown rivers running down! We spent a few days spraying/scrubbing/washing all the surfaces and it was much improved.

Try spraying the window frames and windows with a good cleaning spray (I used Cillit Bang) then wipe the surface with some kitchen paper. If the residue on the paper is brown then it definitely has not been professionally cleaned (whatever that means)!
If you record this on your phone (and keep the soiled paper) you will have the evidence to show the Letting Agent.

I hope you get it sorted. I know just how you feel - I can't bear the smell of cigarettes - fresh or stale!
good luck.

Smodlet

Had you bought the place, I would recommend full redecoration; that is the only way to eliminate the smell of smoke other than Cillit Banging (other proprietary cleaners are available) the walls, celings, doors, skirting boards, floors etc. Opening all the windows will help, of course.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but you did get rid of the ash and cigarette butts, didn't you? If they are still there, you will never get rid of the smell.

I think "professionally" cleaned means nothing more than that someone was paid to do it rather than it being done by oneself, doesn't it? It certainly does not mean it was done well or even adequately.

[Deleted User]

Flash or vinegar are other good tar removers. I agree all surfaces need to be cleaned and soft furnishings, and a good airing given. You use white vinegar, add some lavendar if you want, and just wipe everything generously. If the cloth is yellow/brown, you need to do it until the cloth is clean.

Steaming will also remove tar.

As you can probably tell, I like things to look clean and new so I use equipment and always have. I know its a rental but it never harms to have a small shampooer and/or steamer if you like a place to look nice.

I tend to shampoo carpets with vinegar and ariel washing liquid, tends to remove most products. Its possible whoever cleaned it (if they did) didn't use the right products and just gave it a 'professional' light clean (looked and left lol). The top of cupboards/wardrobes, gungy skirting boards are very rarely cleaned.

I tend to prefer to do it myself. Then I know its done properly.